June 8, 2021
The York Junior Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors is pleased to announce Mr. James Nackley has been appointed as its new Music Conductor and Director for the 2021-2022 season. Mr. Nackley was selected from four finalists following a long Music Director search throughout the beginning of 2021. He was selected by an eight-person search committee consisting of YJSO Board members, staff, and private instructors.
Mr. Nackley is taking on this new role after Mrs. Kathleen Yeater stepped down following the 2020-2021 season. Mrs. Yeater has previously served as the YJSO’s Music Director and Conductor for 27 years.
Richard Jensen, YJSO Board President stated that “Mr. Nackley’s ability to uplift and connect with young musicians will help us to provide the finest quality orchestral training in York County. His strong leadership skills will be an asset to our members and our community.”
Mr. Nackley graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pennsylvania State University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. He is currently completing his Master’s in Music at Messiah University in Orchestral Conducting. Mr. Nackley is a recipient of the PMEA 2021 Outstanding Young Educator Award. He has also completed Leadership York’s “Leadership for Diverse Schools” training program.
Mr. Nackley is also a string and orchestra educator in the Northeastern School District. His job consists of teaching beginning strings from grades three through six and an after-school orchestra for fifth and sixth-grade students. In addition to teaching at his school, James operates his own private practice which teaches twenty private cello students each week.
Mr. Nackley shared his excitement to be at York Junior Symphony Orchestra because he loves sharing his passion for teaching music to young musicians. “Performing music with others is what playing in an orchestra is all about. Even the youngest of musicians are capable of performing great music with hard work and dedication; the York Junior Symphony Orchestra provides this excellent opportunity for the youngest of York County’s fine musicians,” said Mr. Nackley.
The mission of the York Junior Symphony Orchestra is to provide the finest quality orchestral training and performance opportunities for the youngest music students in our York County community. Recognizing that there was a need for an orchestra for young children, the York Junior Symphony Orchestra (YJSO) was established in 1967. The YJSO program is designed for musicians in grades 5 through 8 and affords serious students the opportunity to play with an accomplished orchestra while developing their music skills.